The company said in a statement: "The financial performance in the quarter was lower than the strong corresponding quarter last year due to softer sales in China partially offset by strong performance in the UK, Europe and North America."

India's Tata Motors, Jaguar Land Rover's parent company, announced a 49% fall in profit, also linked to flagging growth in China.

In the UK, Jaguar Land Rover employs 25,000 workers in the Midlands and Liverpool.